Cat's Out Of The Bag On New Film

Paws Down For Feline Flick

Myers Disappoints Locals

The question was put to teens outside the movie theater late Saturday: Did you see "Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat" because it was Dr. Seuss or because it was Mike Myers?

The answer, in unison: "Mike Myers."

And their consensus on the movie itself was almost as unanimous: They didn't like it.

"It was too childish," said Nobel Reeves, 15, of Suffolk, who'd seen the movie with friends at the Harbour View Grande 16. "I thought it had an interesting look in the TV commercials -- it looked like it might be funny. But I don't see anyone over the age of about 5 really liking this movie."

If local teens reflect national opinion, it could be bad news for Universal Studios and Dreamworks' much-hyped, heavily cross-promoted Seuss flick. The image of Myers in feline makeup and stovepipe hat has been inescapable in recent weeks -- in movie trailers, television ads for fast food and soft drinks, and even in a citywide parade in Hampton on Saturday, when the YRC Cinemas chain had a "Cat in the Hat" float.

By casting Myers -- the "Saturday Night Live" alum who had box-office smashes with the randy "Austin Powers" series -- the studio was clearly trying to draw the high school and college crowd to a movie whose primary demographic would appear to be parents and small children.

The formula worked three years ago, when manic comedian Jim Carrey propelled "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to a $260 million take at the U.S. box office, despite terrible reviews. Critics have been equally harsh with "The Cat in the Hat," but the weekend box-office figures showed good and bad news for the movie.

The good news: "Cat" was the nation's top movie, and at $40.1 million for the weekend, it took in more money than the second- and third-place films combined. The bad news: It still took in 27 percent less than "The Grinch" did in its opening weekend. Exit surveys nationwide suggested that half the audience was younger than 15 and that most of the over-15 crowd were parents.

"I was hoping it would be more clever than that," said Robert Smith, 20, of Hampton, who saw the movie Sunday afternoon at the YRC Riverdale Coliseum 12. "With Mike Myers, I thought they might be able to make it into something for a lot of different ages, but it didn't really turn out that way."

Two years ago, Myers did the voice for the title character in the animated movie "Shrek," and his performance was one of the keys to that film's cross-generational appeal. It became a runaway hit with children, teens and adults, taking in $270 million in theaters and becoming a sensation on video and DVD.

"The Cat in the Hat" doesn't seem to be connecting with as broad an audience. The key, it appears, might be the expectations that viewers bring to the movie. Those who come because they're fans of Dr. Seuss are more likely to enjoy the movie than those who come because they're fans of Mike Myers.

"It was about what I expected -- it was OK," said Chris Clinton, 20, of Portsmouth, who said he saw the movie more for the Seuss angle. "It's not entirely aimed at the little kids. It has some humor and some jokes in it for the adults, so I think it could find a pretty decent audience."

But the Myers fans -- those who know every "Schwing!" in "Wayne's World" and every "Oh, behave!" in the "Austin Powers" movies -- were less convinced.

"There were some chuckles," admitted Leah Fontenot, 15, of Suffolk, "but I think it was more laughing at the movie, instead of laughing with it."